With the start of the 2019 season rapidly approaching, I believe it’s time that we give you the ultimate breakdown of each division and predict their position in the standings come season’s end. It’s hard to predict record, so we’ll just give you their placement in the standings. Of course, this is coming from a fan’s perspective and what we think it could look like, not what it will. Today, we focus on the American League Central and the Detroit Tigers:
Detroit Tigers
2018 record: 64-98, 3rd in AL Central
Projected Lineup:
2B Josh Harrison
3B Jeimer Candelario
RF Nick Castellanos
DH Miguel Cabrera
1B John Hicks
CF Jacoby Jones
LF Christin Stewart
SS Jordy Mercer
C Grayson Greiner
Starting Rotation:
LH Matt Boyd
RH Jordan Zimmermann
RH Tyson Ross
LH Matt Moore
LH Daniel Norris
Key Bullpen Pieces:
RH Shane Greene
RH Joe Jimenez
Key Bench Pieces:
OF Mikie Mahtook
INF Niko Goodrum
INF Gordon Beckham
INF Ronny Rodriguez
The Tigers finished with 64 wins, good enough for 3rd in the AL Central last year. That should tell you how weak the division really was in 2018. For 2019, the Tigers are once again looking at not eclipsing the 70 win mark. Miguel Cabrera, once one of the most feared hitters in the game, has begun to regress heading into his age 36 season. He is not the player he was just a few years ago, only appearing in 168 games over the past 2 seasons. He looks to be the everyday DH for Detroit in 2019 so it’s possible that he can stay healthy and contribute a fraction of what he once produced, but that will be tough. The one bright spot of this Tigers lineup is Castellanos, who had a very good year last year. .298 average, 185 hits, 23 home runs and a .500 SLG. 2019 will be Castellanos’ last year on contract as he’s slated to hit the free agent market after the season, so don’t be surprised if and when he is moved at the All Star break.
Detroit just received word that their heir apparent ace Michael Fulmer will be receiving Tommy John surgery and will miss the entire 2019 season, which is a huge blow for the Tiger fans who were looking forward to seeing the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year get back to his All Star form. The rotation will now look to guys like Boyd and Zimmermann to step up. Zimmermann enters his 4th year of his five year, $110 million contract with the Tigers and so far, has not lived up to his expectations. In his three years in Detroit, Zimmermann carries a 5.24 ERA, 1.407 WHIP and just 280 strikeouts.
Shane Greene will look to be the anchor of the Tigers’ bullpen. He recorded 32 saves in 2018, but also pitched to a 5.12 ERA and a 4.61 FIP. After him, Detroit doesn’t look to have too much to look forward to late in the game.
The only thing the Tigers will look to battle for is to not have the worst record in all of baseball this year.
2019 prediction: 5th in AL Central
